A 35-year-old patient has been admitted to a hospital for pain in the left sternoclavicular and knee joints, lumbar area. The disease has an acute character and is accompanied by fever up to 38oC. Objectively: the left sternoclavicular and knee joints are swollen and painful. In blood: WBCs - 9, 5x109/l, ESR - 40 mm/h, CRP - 1,5 millimole/l, fibrinogen - 4,8 g/l, uric acid - 0,28 millimole/l. Examination of the urethra scrapings reveals chlamydia. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is Reiter's syndrome. This is suggested by the presence of joint pain, fever, elevated ESR and CRP levels, and chlamydia infection. Reiter's syndrome is a reactive arthritis triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body, such as chlamydia. The patient's symptoms of joint pain and swelling, along with the positive chlamydia test, support this diagnosis. Rheumatic arthritis (Choice B) is not associated with chlamydia infection, making it less likely. Gout (Choice C) typically presents with elevated uric acid levels, which are normal in this case. Bechterew's disease (Choice D) primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, not the sternoclavicular and knee joints as seen in this patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium fits all the characteristics mentioned: Gram-positive rods with spore formation, motile, and gas production in nutrient broth. Clostridium perfringens is known to cause gas gangrene, which aligns with the gas production in nutrient broth. Bacillus anthracis (B) causes anthrax and does not typically produce gas. Clostridium tetani (C) causes tetanus and does not form spores that are motile. Bacillus cereus (D) is a common cause of food poisoning and does not cause gas gangrene.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The pertussis toxin inhibits the adenylate cyclase-mediated conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP, leading to decreased levels of cyclic AMP in the cell. This disrupts important cellular signaling pathways, affecting immune response and causing symptoms of pertussis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the pertussis toxin does not directly affect protein synthesis, provoke overproduction of mucus in tracheal cells, or provoke release of electrolytes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Axial filaments, also known as endoflagella, are composed of proteins. These proteins form a helical structure that enables certain bacteria, such as spirochetes, to move in a corkscrew-like motion. Proteins are the main structural component of axial filaments due to their flexibility and ability to generate movement. Choice B, polyphosphates, are not typically associated with axial filaments, as they are more involved in energy storage and transfer. Choice C, volutin granules, are storage inclusions of inorganic polyphosphate and are not part of axial filaments. Choice D, carbohydrates, are not the primary component of axial filaments which are protein-based structures responsible for bacterial motility.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Decontamination is the reduction or removal of unwanted chemical or biological agents to make an area safe. This includes cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing to eliminate harmful substances. Choice A is incorrect as decontamination doesn't necessarily involve killing all microorganisms. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on stopping growth, not removing existing contaminants. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically mentions vegetative organisms, which may not cover all types of contaminants that need to be removed during decontamination. Thus, the correct answer is B as it accurately describes the process of decontamination.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neutralization. In this experiment, the researchers used antitoxic antibotulinic serum of different types to neutralize the botulinic toxin in tinned meat extract injected into mice. Neutralization is the process of rendering a toxin harmless by combining it with specific antibodies. The purpose of injecting the antitoxic serum was to neutralize the toxin and prevent it from causing harm to the mice. This serological reaction of neutralization directly aligns with the objective of the experiment. Summary of other choices: B: Precipitation - Precipitation involves the formation of a visible insoluble complex when an antigen reacts with its corresponding antibody. This process was not described in the scenario. C: Complement binding - Complement binding involves the activation of the complement system by antigen-antibody complexes. This was not the main focus of the experiment described. D: Double immune diffusion - This technique is used to detect the presence of specific antigens or antibodies

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii causes Toxoplasmosis, a protozoan disease that can affect the brain and lead to vision loss. The halfmoon-shaped unicellular organisms with pointed ends described in the blood analysis are characteristic of Toxoplasma parasites. Toxoplasma infection commonly occurs through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or contact with infected cat feces. Leishmania causes Leishmaniasis, Lamblia causes Giardiasis, Amoeba causes Amebiasis, and Trichomonad causes Trichomoniasis, none of which match the symptoms and blood analysis findings described in the question.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C (Nystatin) is the correct answer: 1. Nystatin is an antifungal medication specifically effective against Candida infections. 2. Candida is a type of fungus, not a bacteria targeted by penicillins (choice A) or cephalosporins (choice B). 3. Nystatin works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, leading to its death. 4. Choice D (None of the above) is incorrect as Nystatin is a suitable treatment option for Candida infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Clostridium botulinum is known for producing the neurotoxin causing botulism. 2. Botulinum toxin paralyzes muscles, leading to symptoms of botulism. 3. Clostridium tetani produces tetanus toxin causing muscle rigidity, not botulism. 4. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia, not botulism. 5. Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning, but not botulism. Summary: Choice A is correct (Clostridium botulinum) due to its association with botulism and neurotoxin production. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are associated with different diseases and toxins.